Goal: Place old-growth forests and endangered wildlife under greater national protection.

The timber industry will continue to decimate Australia’s old growth forests, despite the government’s promises to protect these diminishing habitats. The first major crisis of 2020, the Australian bushfires, pushed many old growth forests and the diverse wildlife that inhabit them to the brink of collapse. Unfortunately, fickle leaders have seemingly once again put the interests of the logging industry first at the expense of environmental and economic sustainability.

The Victorian government did pledge protection for almost 100,000 hectares of old-growth forest, but much of this protected forestry was wiped out by the fires. Just as the environmental disaster was finally winding down, Australian leaders renewed agreements with the timber industry that exempted these companies from longstanding conservation laws.

For the next few years, these industries will have virtually free reign to plunder what remains of the old growth forests. As a result, endangered species already at risk will likely lose vital habitats. Even though economic estimates say protecting the forests immediately could save Australians nearly 200 million dollars, this perplexing prioritization of special interests continues.

Sign the petition below to demand these leaders get their priorities straight and save the forests that have sustained Australia’s environment for centuries.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prime Minister Morrison,

A concrete promise to protect Australia’s invaluable old-growth forests has transformed into a vague plan to maybe take action by 2030. These forests have already endured one crushing hardship this year. The members not already ravaged by bushfires may not survive another full-on assault. At the current rate, they may not even make it to 2030, and nothing will be left to protect.

Environmental assessments taken in the wake of the fires have alerted you to the fact that forests initially protected for conservation purposes are in many cases no more. Further analysis reveals that more immediate, decisive action taken on behalf of these forests would actually save the government and the people significant money. For too long, regional agreements (now extended) have enabled the largely self-regulated timber industry to take precedence over good environmental and economic policy.

Change the status quo. Build a more effective, respected regulatory body that holds the timber industry fully accountable. Most importantly, make national protection of nature’s cherished senior citizens a priority.